"You see clubs paying £25-£26million for strikers like Fernando Torres and obviously he's done the business but Santa Cruz came to us (from Bayern Munich) for just over £3million and I'd say that probably makes him, pound for pound, probably the better buy."

Hughes added: "There's been a little bit of mischief in the papers, speculation of us selling top players but that's not going to happen. I'm very happy with the four strikers we have and that will save some money in the summer because that's where most of it has been going lately.

"Roque has come in and settled well. You never know what will happen with foreign players but the fact he's played week-in, week-out has helped him. His body has been able to cope with a few niggles and he's happy of course with his scoring record.

"What helps is that players coming into Blackburn now get what they get at all the top clubs. Roque has signed for three years and this is just the first."